As a student (or just someone who is studying something), you already know the value of being organized, spending your time wisely and also being very productive when you are studying.
So how many techniques do you use that assist you in being more productive and less distracted? Lots? Some? None? What if I told you that there was an easy way to help you become far less distracted and far more productive? Would that make a difference to you and your studies?
What if I was to tell you that the technique is also easy to comprehend and even easier to apply - but it can still have a considerable effect on how you use your time? Sounds good doesn't it!
A productivity guru named David Allen developed what is now known as the "Two Minute Rule". The two minute rule is exactly as it sounds and it works in the following way.
Whenever something interrupts what you are doing or threatens to steal away your precious study time (like a friend calling you on the phone or someone sending you a Facebook message) you just ask yourself: "Can this be handled in two minutes or less?"
If you believe you can handle the interruption within two minutes then you address it straight away. You do whatever you need to do to resolve the disruption. Then once you have resolved you go back to what you were doing (studying hopefully!) On the other hand, if you don't think it can be handled within two minutes then simply put it on your to-do list and note to address it later.
And that's all there is too it - nothing more and nothing less! Pretty simple isn't it?
Now, this may seem like a very simple solution but don't dismiss the power of using this technique. Often the times when we are trying to get things done can also be the times when we are exposed to many distractions and disruptions. When those distractions (think friends, siblings, after school activities, parents) take us away from our primary focus (like getting a draft of an essay done for example) for longer than a few minutes we can totally lose sight of what we were doing and as a result become far less productive because we constantly have to keep re-focusing.
A major benefit of using this approach is that you deal with distractions and disruptions as they occur and you handle them in record pace (two minutes or less remember!) Because you have made a conscious decision that if you are going to resolve the distraction it must be resolved within two minutes, you have established a focus and an allowable time limit. If the distraction begins to take longer than two minutes to handle, you simply stop and go back to what you were doing (and add it to your to-do list obviously).
A secondary benefit of the two minute rule is that you have organized and prioritized a to-do list. Instead of just addressing every distraction as it arises, you ignore those distractions that are going to take longer than two minutes - but because you have them written down as something to complete later you have instantly become more organized.
Simple? Yes. Productivity increases? Yes. You become more organized? Yes. It's win-win-win! By addressing distractions as they arise and controlling how you spend your time you will achieve much more in much less time. Try it for a week and see what happens. Good luck!
So how many techniques do you use that assist you in being more productive and less distracted? Lots? Some? None? What if I told you that there was an easy way to help you become far less distracted and far more productive? Would that make a difference to you and your studies?
What if I was to tell you that the technique is also easy to comprehend and even easier to apply - but it can still have a considerable effect on how you use your time? Sounds good doesn't it!
A productivity guru named David Allen developed what is now known as the "Two Minute Rule". The two minute rule is exactly as it sounds and it works in the following way.
Whenever something interrupts what you are doing or threatens to steal away your precious study time (like a friend calling you on the phone or someone sending you a Facebook message) you just ask yourself: "Can this be handled in two minutes or less?"
If you believe you can handle the interruption within two minutes then you address it straight away. You do whatever you need to do to resolve the disruption. Then once you have resolved you go back to what you were doing (studying hopefully!) On the other hand, if you don't think it can be handled within two minutes then simply put it on your to-do list and note to address it later.
And that's all there is too it - nothing more and nothing less! Pretty simple isn't it?
Now, this may seem like a very simple solution but don't dismiss the power of using this technique. Often the times when we are trying to get things done can also be the times when we are exposed to many distractions and disruptions. When those distractions (think friends, siblings, after school activities, parents) take us away from our primary focus (like getting a draft of an essay done for example) for longer than a few minutes we can totally lose sight of what we were doing and as a result become far less productive because we constantly have to keep re-focusing.
A major benefit of using this approach is that you deal with distractions and disruptions as they occur and you handle them in record pace (two minutes or less remember!) Because you have made a conscious decision that if you are going to resolve the distraction it must be resolved within two minutes, you have established a focus and an allowable time limit. If the distraction begins to take longer than two minutes to handle, you simply stop and go back to what you were doing (and add it to your to-do list obviously).
A secondary benefit of the two minute rule is that you have organized and prioritized a to-do list. Instead of just addressing every distraction as it arises, you ignore those distractions that are going to take longer than two minutes - but because you have them written down as something to complete later you have instantly become more organized.
Simple? Yes. Productivity increases? Yes. You become more organized? Yes. It's win-win-win! By addressing distractions as they arise and controlling how you spend your time you will achieve much more in much less time. Try it for a week and see what happens. Good luck!
About the Author:
HelpMeToStudy.org is the number one resource for learning new study skills, changing your study habits and discovering the best study tips available. We will help you change the way you think about study - and even better - we will show you how to study effectively: How To Study Effectively | Studying Tips
No comments:
Post a Comment